Welcome to Reading Revisited, a place for friends to enjoy some good old-fashioned book chat while revisiting the truth, beauty, and goodness we’ve found in our favorite books.
It’s one of those books where I can’t really say I “liked” it or not. Did I find the characters likable or did I did I find all of it enjoyable to read? No, and not necessarily. But I found it compelling and gripping. I was reminded of what Sheldon Vanauken said in A Severe Mercy- something like - Graham Greene showed us what sin is. It confronts the reader with the darkness within the self and the battling elements of desire, love, grief, hate, hope and above all, belief.
I didn’t like Bendrix much, but I don’t think you’re supposed to. But I found a lot to think about regarding the human condition. And I have to admit the story stuck in my brain and I have been thinking about it ever since.
I think you explained it really well. I enjoyed it for the writing style and the punch of the story. But I am okay not liking characters if it is well written. I think some of that is personality too. Did you think the ending was redeeming? That was a BIG discussion at book club!
As I told Kelsie, The Power and the Glory was SO GOOD! Like, "I will be thinking about this for the rest of my life" good. So I went into The End of the Affair with the question, "Is everything Greene writes this good?!!" And the answer was, "No."
What annoyed me most is that it felt like he was smiling while justifying sin, like, "But in sinning you can understand forgiveness, so isn't it really better that I sinned?"
The answer to the whole "mystery" of the book is stated plainly on the back cover and is so obvious, that it felt like a terrible, cheap Protestant movie, "bravely ready to face the applause of an in-crowd. I can't imagine a non-Christian reading this book and getting anything out of it; and as a Christian, I felt insulted by it. I had no respect for any of the characters, and in reading a little about Greene this felt autobiographical in the worst way. I haven't read anything else of his, but it makes me think I just loved The Power and the Glory and not Greene.
I’m rooting for Kristin Lavransdatter! (I just bought the trilogy and can’t wait to read it!)
Me too! I think it could win it all! But it’s length could scare people off. I am ALWAYS looking for an excuse to reread it!
Greene vs Stegner was the most difficult for me.
If we hadn't read Crossing to Safety so recently it would have been a much harder vote for me! But I haven't done Greene in a bit!
I love a good reading bracket - why leave all the fun to March Madness?
So many good ones I want to revisit, I'm excited to see which one wins.
I feel like there’s no way to lose with this list-even though I’m rather sad Middlemarch didn’t make it haha
Yes! Though there may be more campaigning in future rounds! Hannah really doesn’t want to read Kristin and I REALLY do!
I actually can't vote well on this bracket -- I've only read about half the books!! But I can say that I've at least heard of them all.
That’s okay! Just vote for what you’d want to read! And then maybe you can read with us when we do!
Ok, that's what I did. Interested to see the pairings for the next round!
I’d love to go back and look at some old posts. I just read the End of the Affair and I’m curious what everyone had to say. But where do I find them?
We actually only had a list back then...the first reading guides started last year! So we will have to reread it to get a reading guide!
I am ready to discuss End of the Affair and my complaints about it any time! 😅
Now I want to talk about it again!
I’m curious! What are some of your complaints?
Sterling, did you like it? I honestly did, but I would love to chat and hear Kate's opinions too!
It’s one of those books where I can’t really say I “liked” it or not. Did I find the characters likable or did I did I find all of it enjoyable to read? No, and not necessarily. But I found it compelling and gripping. I was reminded of what Sheldon Vanauken said in A Severe Mercy- something like - Graham Greene showed us what sin is. It confronts the reader with the darkness within the self and the battling elements of desire, love, grief, hate, hope and above all, belief.
I didn’t like Bendrix much, but I don’t think you’re supposed to. But I found a lot to think about regarding the human condition. And I have to admit the story stuck in my brain and I have been thinking about it ever since.
So overall, yes I liked it! But I didn’t like the characters much or anything that happened haha! I think that’s part of the point.
I think you explained it really well. I enjoyed it for the writing style and the punch of the story. But I am okay not liking characters if it is well written. I think some of that is personality too. Did you think the ending was redeeming? That was a BIG discussion at book club!
Please excuse the typos! I am bad at typing on my phone!
As I told Kelsie, The Power and the Glory was SO GOOD! Like, "I will be thinking about this for the rest of my life" good. So I went into The End of the Affair with the question, "Is everything Greene writes this good?!!" And the answer was, "No."
What annoyed me most is that it felt like he was smiling while justifying sin, like, "But in sinning you can understand forgiveness, so isn't it really better that I sinned?"
The answer to the whole "mystery" of the book is stated plainly on the back cover and is so obvious, that it felt like a terrible, cheap Protestant movie, "bravely ready to face the applause of an in-crowd. I can't imagine a non-Christian reading this book and getting anything out of it; and as a Christian, I felt insulted by it. I had no respect for any of the characters, and in reading a little about Greene this felt autobiographical in the worst way. I haven't read anything else of his, but it makes me think I just loved The Power and the Glory and not Greene.